GM WIP (Weight Inventory Program)

Offshore drilling operations involve frequent and heavy weight transfers. Stability calculations are key to maintaining the rig's safety to Class standards and industry practice recommends stability checks whenever the centre of gravity of the unit is affected.

Amazingly, many stability programs in use are home-made on each vessel and based on spreadsheets. They are not standardised, typically not verified or protected and are prone to software upgrade problems. A standardised, reliable and user-friendly stability software package will make marine operations safer and more efficient. It also fulfils the rig-owner's duty to provide tools to monitor and manage operations.

WIP is a stand-alone, weight database manager, stability and loading condition calculator. WIP has been developed as a standardised weight control package to be used throughout a fleet. The functions of the software are to:

• Store the entire weight inventory, including ballast data
• Calculate and display the vessel loading condition and update it with new data
• Be able to import live data (e.g. draughts and tank soundings)
• Include mooring lines and riser tensions
• Print a weight and stability report in a standard format
• Provide user-friendly input and output

The program enables "what-if" simulations to:

• Prepare changing loading conditions in advance
• Provide training in ballast operations
• Simulate recovery from incidents, e.g. accidental floodings

The benefits of WIP to operators and semi-submersible owners include:

• Standardisation
• Increased safety and consistency
• Quick and user-friendly
• Continuously updated output
• Reassurance to fleet operator
• Quality assurance - verified package
• Positive influence on client audit
• Compliance with safety management
• Improved emergency management
• Reduced training costs